What You Need to Know:* Georgia State is in its first spring practice under head coach Shawn Elliott.* The Blue-White Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at noon at Grady Stadium in Midtown, and admission is free.* The Panthers return 52 lettermen and 17 starters.

ATLANTA -- The Georgia State football team is now in week two of its first spring practice under new head coach Shawn Elliott and his staff. The Blue-White Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at noon at Grady Stadium.

"The installation has picked up this week, so we're working on getting the guys to communicate with each other," defensive coordinator Nate Fuqua said after Tuesday's workout, which was practice No. 6 of 15. "But I like where we are headed right now.

"We're trying to let the players dictate how much they can digest and how fast," he continued. "We want the players to be able to line and play fast and physical, but most importantly, they have to know their jobs."

Fuqua joined Elliott's new staff after spending the last 12 years at Wofford, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator. His defense ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, sixth in scoring defense and 12th in rushing defense in 2016 as the Terriers reached the FCS quarterfinals.

He takes over a Georgia State defense that welcomes back seven starters. Top returnees include two-time All-Sun Belt cornerback Chandon Sullivan, as well as cornerback Jerome Smith, outside linebacker Michael Shaw and defensive end Mackendy Cheridor. Another key piece is veteran safety Bryan Williams, who returns for a sixth year after being granted an extra season by the NCAA.

"At each level, we feel like we do have some play-makers," Fuqua said. "We're trying to make sure that we have them in the right spots and they understand their jobs.

"We moved a couple of guys early and we're still evaluating to see if those are the right positions for everyone. We're teaching the techniques to see who can do what."

Among the position changes, junior Demarcus Kirk, a two-year letterwinner at running back, is now playing inside linebacker, and redshirt freshman Kendrec Grady is at outside linebacker after working at safety during his redshirt season.

Georgia State football will play its first season in the new Georgia State Stadium in 2017, with the inaugural game scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Tennessee State. Season tickets are on sale now, beginning at $100.